It doesn’t take much guts when you cover your face and ride with a mob.”
–Elmer Kelton (Texas Standoff)
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.”
–Psalm 37:1 (NKJV)
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There has been much said during this time of “virus” about it being the “end times.” That being said, is it really? Now, don’t be alarmed that I wrote that. I am not one of those scoffers, but I do believe that we can spend too much time in wonderment and not continue to be doing what we are called to do. Is the Lord on the horizon? Could be, or He could wait a very more years, but I doubt very much longer or there would not be many of the elect left.
Paul very clearly describes what it will be like in the last days. He tells us, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” (2 Timothy 3:1, NKJV). In other words, the way of life will be perilous, dangerous, difficult, grievous, or terrible. Jesus said those days would be “a time of distress such as the world has never known (Rossier, Matthew 24:21). No it is not the Day of the Lord, for that will follow after these “times.” Barclay says that this will be “a time of terror, when evil would gather itself for its final assault and the world would be shaken to its moral and physical foundations.” The “perilous times” lead up to the Rapture of the Church and the following Great Tribulation; it is therefore, a prelude to the evil that was to come.
One more description of the word, “perilous” is used to describe the demoniacs that met Jesus among the tombs. They were violent and dangerous. Plutarch used to the term to describe an ugly wound (Barclay). Perhaps one that is festered and full of gangrene. Barclay continues, “There is an idea of menace and of danger in this word. In the last days there would come times which would menace the very existence of the Christian Church and of goodness itself…”
Second Timothy 3:2-5, then goes on to describe characteristics of those “perilous times.”
2 – For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 – unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 – traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 – having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (NKJV)
Read that description and then look at the news. Every aspect of that is seen. Hatred is unfettered like it has never been before. Life will never go back to what was once called “normal.” People cry for a normal life, but it will not be that way unless one can call evil, normal. And if that isn’t bad enough, Paul continues to write, “But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (3:13, NKJV).
With all of the dreadful words being said, I want to get to the main idea of my note this morning. In the message last Sunday, one phrase jumped out at me. “Perilous times are precious times.” How can that be? When people, whether friends, family, or even strangers, go through an ordeal together there is a bond. In the West there was a saying that “he’s a man to ride the river with,” meaning that in tough times he’ll do his part and you are glad to have worked side by side with him through the ordeal.
In the days of this corona, what have you done to help someone else? How have you continued to minister? How important has friends and family become? You should be in the custom of giving encouragement, helping their faith to grow, exhorting them to continue through. “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18, NKJV)
Stand strong, continue in the doctrine, be ready and on the alert. Remember the hope that is yours and let your faith grow knowing that God is with you in these “perilous times.”
Month: August 2020
The Saga of Miles Forrest
So far it was a long, boring, uneventful ride. We had a short layover in Pueblo so passengers could get off. There were a few on the train going all the way to Kansas City, but no new passengers boarded. I was located in the passenger car along with Troy Linton. Maxwell, the tall, skinny guy was with the soldiers in the baggage car with Josh Gibbons moving from car to car, but staying mainly in the caboose.
The grand Lt. Evanston spent his time sleeping in the passenger car or going to the dining car to eat. I was a mite surprised that he didn’t go check on his men. I would think he would want to see that the guards were alert. Most likely he presumed that his sergeant would take care of it.
In fact, the lieutenant had just left for the dining car when three of his troops came through the car. I knew all ten didn’t have to be on guard all the time, but for this many to leave made me wonder.
“I’m goin’ to take a walk,” I informed Linton then I headed to the dining car. I stopped just outside the entry noticing that the three soldiers were at a table with the lieutenant. That was not so unusual on a short, semi-relaxed trip as this, but they were hunched over seemingly listening to something the lieutenant was saying.
Instead of entering I went back the other way, nodded at Linton and then entered the baggage car. The soldier standing guard at the entrance didn’t say anything just let me go on in. I looked for Gibbons; he must be out at the caboose. There was a buck sergeant by the bullion along with four other soldiers, another was the guard at the far door.
Going over to the sergeant I started a conversation. “Excitin’ trip, ain’t it, Sergeant?”
Looking me over carefully, he relaxed some. “It’s not like fighting Indians, that’s for sure.” He moved away some from the bullion. “Heard you talking some with the special agent. You served with Custer?”
“Rode with him in the Shenandoah Valley, I served directly under Captain Kidd,” I informed him.
“Saw him once at Appomattox. I had just enlisted, didn’t see much action only a few days before the War ended.”
I didn’t think the sergeant looked as old as me. He had been in since the end of the war, had earned his stripes over the years, and since the war they came slow.
“Shame what happened to him and the 7th at Little Big Horn,” he stated. “I had just transferred from the 7th to the 4th regiment at Fort Fetterman. Just missed the Battle of the Rosebud.”
“Sounds like the good Lord was takin’ care of you,” I responded. “Listen, you didn’t miss much but blood and gore in that big war. Plus you missed the Rosebud and Little Big Horn,” I paused to look him over. “But Sergeant, if I don’t miss my guess, you’ve seen your share of action.”
He gave a slight nod. Then I questioned, “How long have you served with these men?”
“Not well, a couple was with me under General MacKenzie when Fort Crawford was opened. I was with Captain Dodge at Milk Creek. That was not a pretty sight,” he recalled.
“Heard of MacKenzie. Quite a fighter,” I assented then brought him back to the present. “How about the Lieutenant? How long you served under him?”
He gave a small, quick grimace. “You know, sir, that I can’t be talking against my officers.”
Raising my hand, I gestured, “No offense, Sergeant, I understand. But just between you and me, stay extra alert, somethin’ ain’t quite right.”
I continued on through the car when out of the corner of my eye I noticed one of the soldiers trying not to stare at me. When I looked his direction, he quickly adverted his gaze. Nodding at the guard at the exit I went out finding Gibbons standing outside the caboose.
“Miles, what are you doing back here?” he inquired.
“I needed to take a walk. Josh, there’s somethin’ that just don’t feel right.”
“Are you sure you’re not imagining things, Miles?”
“Could be, hope so,” I replied. “That’s a lot of gold to be temptin’ somebody.” I proceeded to explain my reasoning.
“Kind of stretching things aren’t you?” came his reply. “But to make you feel better, I have the same feeling. Go on back, but be ready.”
I went back through the baggage car nodding at the sergeant as I passed and into the passenger car. The soldiers and lieutenant were coming back as I entered. I waited for them to pass and for the lieutenant to sit then I went up a couple seats from him. That way he would be between Linton and myself.
We were an hour out of Pueblo when it happened. There were two shots, then the sound of a rifle being fired then another smaller caliber shot. Lieutenant Evanston came out of his seat stepping into the aisle and I did the same. He had his revolver out pointing it at Linton who attempted to pull his gun. The Lieutenant fired and right after he did I jammed the Greener as hard as I could into the area just below his ribs. He groaned.
“When I pull the trigger it will literally cut you in half.”
Groaning he replied, “Too late…”
“Yes, too late for you for you’ll not see a bar of that shinin’ gold…”
Echoes From the Campfire
The bank of clouds now swept hugely out of the western sky. Its front was purple and black, with gray between, a bulging, mushrooming, vast thing instinct with storm. It had dark, angry, threatening aspect. As if all the power of the winds were pushing and piling behind, it rolled ponderously across the sky. A red flare burned out instantaneously, flashed from the west to east, and died. Then from the deepest black of the purple cloud burst a boom. It was like the bowling of a huge boulder along the crags and ramparts, and seemed to roll on and fall into the valley to bound and band and boom from cliff to cliff.”
–Zane Grey (Riders of the Purple Sage)
“He stirs up the sea with His power, and by His understanding He breaks up the storm.”
–Job 26:12 (NKJV)
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My mercy, it looks like a double-whammy is on its way this week. Two hurricanes are converging on Louisiana and Texas and only time will tell of their fury. Storms – we can try to run away, but a person just can’t get away from storms. A tornado lowers its deadly tail and people head for the storm shelters. Interesting term–“storm shelter”–for what is it really? Psalm 46:1-7, speaks of a shelter. Storms of nature and storms of nations can be found in the shelter that God provides.
1 – God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.
2 – Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas,
3 – though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah
4 – There is a river—its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 – God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns.
6 – Nations rage, kingdoms topple; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
7 – The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah (HCSB)
Spend some time meditating and contemplating of this portion of Psalm 46. Right from the beginning it adds to our hope and faith: He is “always found in times of trouble.” WOW! He is the God who is there in the midst of chaos, confusion, and calamity. He is the God who is there is the midst of suffering, sorrow, and even death.
The enemy of our souls will whisper, some in the streets might cry out–“Where is God?” Ah, my friend, He is there; He is always there. George Wood puts it this way, “You have a choice: Trust God and do not fear, or mistrust Him and fail. You will get no emotional benefit or comfort from His presence unless you realize He is there: your refuge, strength, and help.” Nations rage, viruses come and devastate, fear grows and is urged on, there is terror in the streets and Satan is laughing. However, he cannot and will not laugh when you realize that God is there in the midst of all that the enemy throws at the world and at you.
Who knows what will happen when the two hurricanes collide? Who knows what will happen in the streets of our cities? Who knows what will happen to the kingdoms of this world; a world that has only known war, pain, and sorrow? But, you oh Christian! Realize that God is there beside you whatever may befall.
Thunderstorms! I like a good old thunderstorm. I used to be afraid of them, but now I enjoy them. I see the power they have. When the lightning cracks and pops, when the thunder rolls it can be a fearful thing, but I see them as something created by God and they are only a smidgen of His power. What is around His throne? We think that is power, look at what happens when He lifts His voice–oh my.
So don’t fear–run to God, run to the fortress that is your refuge and strength. Just think, one day we will live in that city that cannot be touched by storm, by evil, by sin, by war, or by the threats of the devil.
“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood or mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.”
–Martin Luther
So when the devil squawks, when there is a flood of disease, when he tries to kill and destroy you–remember, God is there, run to Him.
Coffee Percs
I didn’t say anything, just finished my pie and then took a sip of coffee to wash it down.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The Shepherd)
Circus? The circus was in town? Sorry, Pard I missed it. TV, you know I don’t watch television nor have access to those stations, that bein’ said, I do watch Have Gun Will Travel and Gunsmoke and some others but not on regular tv. So you’re tellin’ me that there was a circus in town? Well, let me get our coffee and yuh can tell me all about it.
What’s that silly grin? Are yuh now tellin’ me there wasn’t a circus? Oh, not one with lions and tigers just plenty of clown acts. Hmmm, sounds like a political gatherin’ to me with all the clown acts. Oh! It was! Ha, ha, an’ who was the ring master. No one? Just clowns up runnin’ their jaws and spewin’ their lies until they handed it over to good ol’ apple polisher Joe. My, my, my…
Pard, what can I say? Let’s sit and enjoy our coffee together. I’ve never been much on clowns, an’ I certainly am not in favor of pompous bureaucrats. They kinda get the gizzard riled if I listen to too much of the spiel. We shore have been havin’ nice mornin’s. They kinda take the mind away from the noise of the media regardin’ whatever they are targetin’ for the week. Ahhh, feel that breeze. My, coffee gone already? Don’t be frettin’, I made a whole pot.
The nonsense that seems to just flow from their mouths, well some of the younger folk just don’t quite grasp it all. Either they don’t care or they’re brain is flowin’ with muck they have gathered in. I was ready from that ol’ prophet Isaiah this week, and his words, rather the Lord’s, brought comfort to my soul. Now take heed, and listen tight, “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (46:4) Now if’n that ain’t talkin’ straight at some of us…
Yuh leave this place right smart now, sit tall in yur saddle, and don’t be frettin’ over them clowns. The Lord has a day of reckonin’. But don’t be foolish…check yur cinch. It’d be worse if yuh fell off yur horse then to forget yuh puttin’ on yur mask.
Vaya con Dios